We have been told to take a fixed rate mortgage term until now! What has changed???

Before reading any further, if you are the type of person who can’t sleep at night knowing your interest rate may go up, even by just a little, a variable rate mortgage may not be the best option for you. With a fixed rate mortgage term, the mortgage rate and payment(s) you make each month … Continue reading →

Why does one lender approve your mortgage application when another one won’t????

As a busy Mortgage Broker for the last 16 years and 20 years before that as a banker, the first thought that comes to mind as I write this blog is “one thing is not like the other”.  Ever since all of the mortgage changes came into effect over the last few years, I have … Continue reading →

Do you know if your mortgage is a collateral or a standard charge? You should!

Given all of the mortgage products with many different lenders available these days, I would say it’s a good time to remind all to read the fine print in any and every contract put in front of you. If you don’t understand something, you need to ask the questions. As the mortgage interest rates start … Continue reading →

What? A mortgage with no regular payments required? Is a Reverse Mortgage right for you?

What is a Reverse Mortgage? A reverse mortgage is a loan that allows you to turn a portion of your home equity into cash without having to sell your home. The maximum amount you will be able to borrow will depend on your age, your home’s appraised value and the lender. With this long-term financing … Continue reading →

Mortgage Pre-Approvals: 7 Things you need to know

Hopefully, all of the significant government mortgage rule changes are now in our rear-view mirror! Now more than ever, it is extremely important that potential homebuyers get pre-approved to buy a home as the maximum purchase price you may have qualified for in the past has now been reduced by at least 20%! Due to … Continue reading →

Why has my mortgage application been declined?!?!

Being declined for a mortgage can be quite disheartening, especially when you consider all of the hard work that goes into applying for one in the first place! Understanding why you were declined allows you to recognize certain areas of your finances that can be improved. The good news is that just because one lender … Continue reading →

Bank declined you? What other mortgage options are available?

With all of the significant government mortgage rule changes I have personally seen a growing segment of the population finding it more difficult to qualify with a prime lender at best rates for a number of reasons. Borrowers with recent credit issues, or those who just don’t make enough income to qualify in the price … Continue reading →

Credit and marriage go together like a horse and carriage. Not always!!!!

If you own and live in a home with a sibling, partner or spouse, common law or married, and have decided to part ways; read on. I believe one of the most stressful issues of a relationship breakdown is what to do about the jointly owned home and mortgage. For some, one party could keep … Continue reading →

Mortgage due for renewal soon? Do you stay or do you go?

The days are gone where homeowners would commit for life to only one mortgage lender. If your mortgage is due for renewal soon, you may want to start thinking about what you’re going to do when your mortgage term ends. While you could renew with your current lender, you may be missing out on potential mortgage interest savings or better … Continue reading →

IS YOUR DREAM HOME NO LONGER FITTING INTO YOUR BUDGET?

It has now been over a month since the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) announced its sixth change to its B-20 guidelines, which are otherwise known as the mortgage rules that must be followed by all federally regulated lenders. I have heard a number of mortgage brokers are saying the borrower rejection … Continue reading →